New Year,New Attitude Secure Lady Seahorses Win

By Elio Velez

For a basketball team that has had more chances to celebrate defeat than mourn it, the Far Rockaway Lady Seahorses' demeanor at times seems to suggest they're not enjoying the ride.

Tatyana Salvant is just one of the few Seahorses who wants her team to have a more positive and joyful outlook on the court. She made a New Year resolution to improve her attitude and become more of a helpful presence on the court.

The Lady Seahorses were glad that Salvant proved helpful down the stretch with her new attitude.

Salvant's go-ahead basket and late defensive stops powered Far Rockaway to a 54-52 victory against the visiting Law Enforcement and Public Safety High School last Tuesday.

The Seahorses improved to 9-4 in a competitive Queens B1 division against a rival who had an opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings.

Far Rockaway has proved they can play well at times but the bickering and arguing also go hand in hand when they loses begin to mount.

Salvant noticed she wasn't giving 100% on the floor and by December she was benched for an entire game and suspended for another.

"I needed a change. I wasn't working as hard as I could. I know that I could be one of the better players on the team and I realized that," Salvant said.

"I felt I was hurting the team by not doing anything so I had to step up."

After a self-evaluation, Salvant said 2008 would be the time to give an honest and concerted effort.

With the Seahorses up 52-51 and under a minute remaining, Salvant recovered an offensive rebound and without hesitation, scored her first two points of the season as the Seahorses went up 54-51.

She was reluctant to score the basket at first, but Salvant, who also grabbed 10 rebounds, shook off the nerves and scored.

Salvant ran down the court with her visibly wide smile as the crowd and teammates loudly cheered her efforts.

"I don't even know what came over me. It just happened. I didn't expect to hit that," Salvant said.

The Seahorses had stormed back after a porous third quarter, which they only scored four points and lost the lead.

The contributions of Quenise Holland, whose 37 points and key back-to back three pointers that gave Far Rockaway a 52-48 lead in the fourth quarter provided a boost as wekk fir tge Seahorses.

With 1:27 remaining however, Law Enforcement guard, Olivia Strachan knocked down a 3-point shot to cut the lead to 52-51.

After Salvant's basket made it 54-51, Law Enforcement Nikita Patterson's free throws cut the lead to 54-52.

With five seconds remaining, Law Enforcement got the ball back on a steal and tried to tie the game, but Patterson missed a 15 foot jumper to tie the game and the Seahorses' Katherine Rocha' grabbed the rebound to secure the win.

Salvant says a new year can bring new and brighter opportunities for their team. They have to stay together through the positive and the negative times.

"I wanted to win against Law Enforcement because they're a hard team to beat," Salvant said.

I know that we're one of the best teams in the league. I like a team that plays together."